Sajana Aryal

About Ms. Aryal

What are your clinical interests?
My clinical interests focus on pediatric audiology, particularly working with children who use cochlear implants. After working for three years as a pediatric audiologist in Nepal, I developed a strong passion for early identification, family-centered care, and intervention to support long-term communication outcomes in children with hearing loss.

What do you/did you love the most about your job?

What I love most about my work is the opportunity to bridge clinical practice and research to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives. Through my current research on early identification of subclinical hearing loss, I’m contributing to a deeper understanding of how even minimal (subclinical) hearing loss can affect speech perception—work that has the potential to improve screening, diagnosis, and intervention practices for pediatric populations.

What company or organization do you work for right now? If you’re retired, where did you last work?

PhD Student, University of Texas at Austin

What’s a project you’re working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you?

I’m currently working on a project exploring the neurophysiological mechanisms behind subclinical hearing loss, particularly how it affects suprathreshold neural processing and speech perception. This work is meaningful to me because it addresses a critical gap in early identification.

How has your career benefited from being a member of the Academy?
Being a member of the American Academy of Audiology has helped me connect with professionals who share similar interests and provided access to student scholarship opportunities.

Any tips or advice for new members on how to best leverage their Academy membership?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share ideas, or connect with others. Your voice matters more than you think.

Fun Facts

Where is your hometown?

Syangja, Nepal

If you could bring back one TV show that was canceled, which one would you bring back?

Atypical

What are you reading or listening to at the moment?

I’m currently reading ‘Unfinished’ by Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Best vacation you’ve ever been on?

Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Who is your hero, and why?

My hero is my father—he taught me to never stop striving for success, no matter the challenges.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I had any superpower, I’d move Nepal right next to the U.S. so I could see my family every day without a 20-hour flight.